Watch-plate drilling and tapping machine



(No Model.) 14 SheetsSheet 1 D. H. CHURCH. WATCH PLATE DRILLING AND TAPPING MACHINE. No. 595,044. Patented Dec. 7,1897.

NVENTDRI (No Model.) 14 SheetsSheet 2. D. H. CHURCH. WATOH PLATE DRILLING AND TAPPING MACHINE. No. 595,044.

Patented Dec.'7,1897.

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14 SheetsSheet 3.

(No Model.)

D. H. CHURCH. WATCH PLATE DRILLING AND TAPPING MACHINE. No. 595,044.

Patented Dec. 7, 1897.

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\X/ITNESSi-Ig: m v Z/ |NV NTIIR 14 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

D. H. CHURCH. WATCH PLATE DRILLING AND TAPPING MACHINE. No. 595,944.

Patented Dec. '7, 1897.

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(No Model.) 14 Sheets-Sheet 5.

D. H. CHURCH.

WATCH PLATE DRILLING AND TAPPING MACHINE. No. 595,044. Patented Dec.7,189'7.

lTNEEEIEE: r/VW m/W. I 6 W 14 Sheets-Sheet 6.

(No Model.)

D. H. CHURCH. WATCH PLATE DRILLING. AND TAPPING MAOHINE.

Patented Dec. 7,1897.

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w: mmms E'ETEI6 c0, wamumm w 14 Sheets-Sheet 7 (No Model.)

D. H. CHURCH. WATCH PLATE DRILLING AND TAPPING MAGHINE.

No. 595,044. Patented Dec.'7,1897.

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(No Model.) 14 Sheets-Sheet 8.

D. H. CHURCH. WATCH PLATE DRILLING AND TAPPING MACHINE.

No. 595,044. Patented De0.'7,1897.

W away/ll! W (No Model.) 14 Sheets-Sheet 9.

D. H. CHURCH. WATCH PLATE DRILLING AND TAPPING MACHINE.

No. 595,044. Patented De0.7, 1897.

(No Model.) 14 Sheets-Sheet 10. D. H. CHURCH. WATCH PLATE DRILLING AND TAPPING- MACHINE.

No. 595,044. Patented De0.7, 1897.

5 z s s a N W (No Model.) 14 Sheets-Sheet 12.

v D. H. CHURCH. WATCH PLATE DRILLING AND TAPPING MACHINE. No. 595,044. Patented 1390.7, 1897.

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(No Model.) 14 SheetsSheet 13,

D. H. CHURCH. WATCH PLATE DRILLING AND TAPPING MACHINE.

No 595,044. Patented Dec. 7, 1897.

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(No Model.) 14 Sheets-Sheet 14. D. H. CHURCH. WATCH PLATE DRILLING AND TAPPING MACHINE.

Patented Dec. 7, 1897.

F UV Unrrnp STATES PATENT Crrrcn.

DUANE H. CHURCH, OF NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

WATCH-PLATE DRILLING AND TAPPING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,044, dated December *7, 1897.

Application filed July 1, 1897. Serial No. 643,107. (No model.)

1'0 all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DUANE H. CHURCH, of Newton, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in VVatch-Plate Drilling and Tapping Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The aim of this invention is to provide an organized mechanism by whose automatic operation blanks for foundation-plates of watch-movements can be provided with all the necessary holes and those of the holes requiring it supplied with screw-threads, thus displacing many separate machines heretofore considered necessary to do this work and providing for its complete performance by a single machine requiring but a single attendant. Aside from this advantage the auto matic performance of all this work by a single machine insures absolute uniformity in the plates, and this is highly important in view of the fact that in the American system of watchmaking the parts are required to be interchangeable.

In the completed plate there are a great many holes, variously located, and some screw-threaded and some not, so that it will be readily appreciated that a very great nu mber of operations are necessary to complete the plate, and the machine of my invention is necessarily more or less complicated; but its form, as exhibited in the accompanying drawings, is thoroughly practical as has been demonstrated by actual use.

Briefly stated, and preliminary to a more detailed description, the general arrangement of the machine is as follows: On a suitable base there are erected a number of standards, each of which supports the following instrumentalities-viz., first, a turret which is rotated step by step in a fixed bearing and carries a series of independently-rotatable and longitndinally-movable tool-carrying spindles; secondly, a spindle-driving shaft which is rotated in a fixed bearing and is moved longitudinally at stated intervals to engage a clutch member on its end with a complemental clutch member on a tool-carrying spindle; thirdly, a primary slide which is reciprocated horizontally in fixed guides on the,

standard; fourthly, a secondary slide which is reciprocated in guides on the primary slide at right angles with the movement of the latter and is provided with a blank-holder through the agency of compressed air, as hereinafter described, so that each slide can be arrested at any point in its movement. The blank-holder is given a compound movement by the said slides and is arranged so that any part of a blank held by it can be brought into position to be acted 011 by the acting spindle in the turret, the automatic stop mechanism above referred to cooperating with the slides in locating different parts of the blank successively over the said acting spindle.

The series of instrumentalities above referredto constitutes a section of the machine, which is made up of a series of sections, all operating in substantially the same way, excepting in the matter of certain details hereinafter noted. A description of the construc tion and operation of one section will therefore be sufficient for all, the chief difference between the sections being in the tools carried by the spindles of the different turrets, each turret carrying a series of tools which differ from those carried by the other turrets.

The blank plates are stacked in a suitable magazine and a swinging transferrer takes them therefrom one by one and conveys them to the first holder, wherein the plate is subjected to the operation of the various tools in the turret. A second transferrer is arranged to take the plate from the first holder and transfer it to the second holder, and a third transferrer is arranged to take the plate from the second holder to the third holder, and so on. The third transferrer is constructed to reverse the plate as it conveys it between the holders. 1n the last section of the machine the spindle-driving shaft is alternately rotated in opposite directions for purposes of screw-threading. A final transferrer takes the plate from the holder of this last section and stacks it in a suitable receiver.

In the drawin gs which accompany and form part of this specification there is illustrated a form of embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 represents a top plan view of the complete machine. Fig. 2 represents a front elevation thereof. Fig. 3 represents a rear elevation of the same. Fig. 4 represents a top plan view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of the machine at the left-hand or commencement end thereof. Fig. 5 represents an elevation of the left-hand end of the machine on the same scale as Fig. 4. Fig. 6 represents an elevation of the first section of the machine as viewed from the side opposite that seen in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 represents a cross-sec tion taken on the line 7 7 of Fig. 6 and looking in the direction of the arrow crossing said line. Fig. 8 represents a fragmentary rear elevation of the first section of the machine. Fig. 9 represents a longitudinal sectional view of the second section of the machine, looking toward the right-hand end of the machine. Fig. 10 represents a similar View with the turret in elevation and one of its tools at work. Some of the parts seen in Fig. 9 are removed to disclose other parts behind them. Figs. 11, 12, and 13 represent details of the clutch devices between the tool-carryin g spindles and the spindle-driving shaft. Fig. 14 represents an elevation of the plate-holder seen in Fig. 10, together with the third transferrer in a position to remove the plate from said holder. Fig. 15 shows a sectional detail of valve mechanism controlling a fluid-pressure clutch for the spindle driving shaft. Fig. 16 represents a top plan view of the plateholding portion of the first section of the machine, together with a portion of the first transferrerin position under the holder. Fig. 17 represents a front elevation of the parts appearing in Fig. 16. Fig. 18 represents a section taken on line 18 18 of Fig. 16. Fig. 19 represents a plan view of the plate-carrying portion of one of the transferrers with a plate therein. Fig. 20 represents a side elevation of the same. Fig. 21 represents a cross-section thereof on line 21 21 of Fig. 19, together with a portion of a plate-holder of one of the sections of the machine. Fig. 22 represents a cross-section on the line 22 22 of Fig. 19. Fig. 23 represents a longitudinal section on line 23 23 of Fig. 16. Fig. 24 represents a plan view of the second plate-holder and the head of the third transferrer. Fig. 25 represents a section on line 25 25 of Fig. 24. Fig. 26 represents a plan view of the third plate-holder and the third transferrer, the latter being reversed as compared with Fig. 24. Fig. 27 represents a section taken on line 27 27 of Fig. 26. Fig. 28 represents a cross-section taken on line 28 28 of Fig. 24.. Fig. 29 represents a sectionalized front elevation of the first transferring mechanism and a portion of the magazine. Fig. 30 shows a sectionalized front elevation of the third transferring mechanism wit-h portions of the second and third sections of the machine.- Fig.

3O shows a detail view hereinafter described. Fig. 31 shows a section of the third transferring mechanism, taken at right angles to the section in Fig. 30, together with a sectionalized side elevation of the third section of the machine. Figs. 32 and 33 represent plan views of the third transferrer-head in reversed positions. Figs. 34 and 35 represent sections taken, respectively, on lines 34 34, Fig. 32, and 35 35, Fig. 33. Fig. 36 shows a sectionalized rear elevation of the last section of the machine and adjacent parts. Fig. 37 shows a sectionalized plan view of the same. Figs. 37 and 37 show detail views, hereinafter referred to.

The letter a designates the base upon which all the mechanism is supported, and b the standards erected upon said base in a line longitudinally thereof. Each of said standards supports instrumentalities for acting upon a plate, constituting in themselves a drilling-machine, or, as I term it, a drillingsection of the entire machine shown. The construction and arrangement of parts in each section is much the same, and a detailed description of one of them will in a measure sufiice for all.

In a suitable bearing 0 on the front of the standard 1) there is rotatively mounted a turret 0, (see Fig. 9,) bored longitudinally for the reception of a circular series of spindles 0 having provisions at their upper ends for holding drilling-tools c and provided at their lower ends with clutch members 0 These spindles are longitudinally movable in the turret and are pressed downwardlyby springs c" and are also rotatable in the turret, being designed to be separately actuated by a driving spindle or shaft 0 journaled in brackets c on the standard Z) and longitudinally movable therein and provided at its upper end with a clutch member 0 for engagement with the corresponding clutch members on the tool-carrying spindles. The said clutch member c is preferably in the form of a sleeve, (see Fig. 11,) fitted to slide on the reduced upper end of the shaft and pressed outwardly by a spring 0 The turret c is moved periodically and locked in different positions to bring its tool-spindles successively into alinement with the driving-spindle c and the lat ter is moved longitudinally into rotative engagement with the tool-spindle and by continued longitudinal movement and rotation causes the tool to drill a hole in the plate,

which is held in position over the turret in a manner hereinafter described.

The periodical movement of the turret and the locking thereof, as above described, are effected by the following instrumentalities:

IIO

The turret has fastened to it a circumferentially-grooved collar 0?, notched at a number of places in its periphery, as shown at d in Figs. 37 and 37, to correspond with the toolspindles, so that a latch (1 by successively engaging the notches, will hold the turret in different positions with one .or another of the tool-spindles in alinement with the driving-spindle. This latch d is pivoted to the turret-casing c and is pressed into engagement with the notched collar by a spring d Below the collar cl another collar (1*, Fig. 9, loosely surrounds the turret and is formed with a wide flange (Z carrying a pivoted pawl d, Fig. 37, pressed by a spring d against the periphery of the notched collar and adapted by engagement with the notches, Fig. 37, to establish rotative connection be tween the flange and the turret under one direction of movement of the former, but to slide over the periphery of the notched disk under the opposite direction of movement. There is also pivoted to the flange 61 a latchdisplacing piece (7 having a diamond-shaped head (Z Fig. 37 for engagement with a pin (Z on the latch. The said displacing-piece is pressed by a spring (Z against the periphery of the notched collar, and in normal position of parts, as exhibited in Fig. 37, the front inclined side of the diamond-shaped head (1 stands ready to displace the latch by acting against the pin (Z The flanged ring or collar has an oscillatory movement, as will be presently explained, and under what may be termed the forward direction of move ment thereof the latch is displaced and the diamond head passes the pin d so that the latch may move into engagement with the next notch, as shown in Fig. 37. Upon the return movement the rear inclined side of the diamond head rides over the pin.

The flange (Z has a portion of its periphery cut with gear-teeth (Z which project into a cylinder (t in the standard I) and mesh with a rack (Z extending between pistons 61 in said cylinder, the rack and the piston forming in effect a single piston adapted to be reciprocated in said cylinder to produce the oscillatory movement of the flanged collar hereinbefore referred to. The reciprocations of the said piston are effected by fluid-pressure, preferably compressed air, which is admitted alternately to opposite ends of the cylinder through ports (Z which communicate by passages (Z with the interior or bore of a casing c1 of a slide-valve (Z (See Fig. 10.)

The passages (Z enter the valve-casing one behind the other, as indicated in Figs. 10 and 37, and the valve has a passage or port (Z communicating with a supply-pipe (Z and adapted to register alternately with the passages d The said valve also has an exhaustpassage (Z adapted to register alternately with the said passages. In the normal position of parts, as exhibited in the figures just referred to, the valve is in its outward position, in which it is held by a spiral spring (Z arranged behind it, and in this position of the valve its passage (Z registers with the passage (Z leading to the right-hand end of the cylinder, and hence the piston is held at the left-hand end of its movement. Inward movement of the valve, to admit compressed air to the left-hand end of the cylinder and simultaneously exhaust the charge from the right-hand end, is effected by the following means: On a shaft 2, extending the length of the machine, there is keyed a disk (Z having a series of V-shaped projections or cams c1 at different distances apart. A lever 01 is pivoted at one end to a bracket (Z on the standard I) and at its other or free end bears against the end of the valve d while intermediate of its ends it is formed with an arm (Z carrying a roller (Z in contact with the periphery of the cam-disk (1 The shaft 2 is actuated from the main or driving shaft y, Figs. 36 and 37, through a worm a; on the latter, meshing with a worm-wheel w on the shaft .2, and as the latter rotates the cam projections (Z on its disk d operate to shift the valve (Z at stated intervals through the medium of the parts above described. It will be seen that the shifting of the valve back and forth results in the oscillatory motion of the toothed ring which surrounds the turret, the effect of which, as previously indicated, is to turn the turret and bring a new tool-spindle into line with the driving-spindle 0 The longitudinal movement of the said driving-spindle toward the tool-spindle is effected through the following described means, (shown in Figs. 9 and 10 z) A lever 0 pivoted intermediate of its length, engages at one end the lower end of the driving-spindle and at the other end is equipped with a pin 0 which bears against the periphery of a disk 0, keyed on the shaft 2 and formed with numerous and varying cam projections 0 which in the rotation of said disk act successively against the pin 0 and thereby operate the lever to move the driving-spindle upward. A spiral spring 0 (shown clearly in Fig. 9) encircles the said spindle between one of its bearings c and a pulley c affixed to it, the said spring thereby exerting itself to depress the spindle. The said pulley serves for rotating the drivingspindle, and to this end receives a band or belt 0 which passes rearwardly to and around a pulley 0 mounted upon a horizontal shaft 0", one stretch of the band running over an obliquely-set sheave 0 (See Fig. 37 The pulley c is itself an idler and may be driven in either direction, and to regulate its rotation automatically, so that the toolspindle may be driven first in one direction and then in the opposite direction when required-as, for example, in tapping or screw-threading--the following arrangement is adopted, (see Fig. 37:)

The pulley c is located between two other pulleys 0 and c which are driven in opposite directions from a suitable source of power, and the said pulley c is formed on each side with a cone-shaped clutch member 0 for frictional engagement with correspondinglyformed recesses 0 in the pulleys 0 and 0 The shaft 0 is mounted to slide in its bearings e and 0 which project rearwardly from the supporting-bed a, and by reciprocating in its bearings said shaft carries the pulley c alternately into frictional engagement with the pulleys 0 and 0 This reciprocation of the shaft is accomplished through the agency of compressed air by the following-described instrumentalities:

In one of the shaft-bearings 0 is formed a cylinder 0 and the shaft carries a piston 0 in said cylinder. Referring now more particularly to Fig. 15,-0 and 0 designate passages which communicate with opposite ends of said cylinder and at different points with a bore which is occupied by a slidevalve 0 having supply and exhaust passages 0 and 0 for alternate communication with the said passages 0 and 0 The exhaust-passage 0 opens out of the top of the valve, while the supply-passage c communicates with another passage 0 leading to a compressed-air-supply pipe 0 A spiral spring 0 arranged under the valve, exerts itself to hold the same elevated, Where its supply-passage communicates with one end of the cylinder and its exhaust-passage with the other.

The means employed to shift the valve and thereby reverse the direction of rotation of the tool-spindle are of the following description: A lever bears at one end upon the upper end of the valve and at its opposite end is pivoted to a bracket on the standard I), as shown at 0 Fig. 6. Intermediate of its ends the said lever carries a pin 0 bearing against the periphery of a disk 0 keyed to the shaft 2 and formed with varied cam projections 0 to shift the lever, and consequently the valve, by acting against the pin c Proceeding next to the Work-holding devices, the letter f designates a primary slide which is mounted to move in a horizontal plane lengthwise of the machine upon a guideway f on the top of the standard b, and g designatesa secondary slide arranged to move in a horizontal plane at right angles to the primary slide upon a guideway g on the top of the latter. This secondary slide carries at its forward end the work-holdin g means which overhang the turret, and it will here be seen that by adjustment of the two slides any desired position of the work with relation to the tool which is to operate upon it can be had.

I shall next describe the means for automatically adjusting the slides,which include means for yieldingly impelling the slides and automatically-adjustable stop devices to determine the different positions of the slides. Referring now more particularly to Fig. 7, the slideway f for the primary slide is bored lengthwise to form a cylinder f in which fits a piston f fixedly connected by a screw f with the primary slide, the said screw passing through a longitudinal slot in the slideway. Portsf andf at opposite ends of this cylinder communicate by separate passages,

f and f with the casing f 9 of a slide-valvef and the said valve has supply and exhaust passages f and f (see Fig. 31) for alternate communication with the passages f and f The other slideway g (see Fig. 9) has a cylinder g,with ports g and g at opposite ends communicating by properly-jointed passages g and g with the valve-casingf and the valve has supply and exhaust passages g and g to alternately register with the said passages g and g There is a chest h on the lower side of the valve-casing in communication with a compressed -air pipe h and having a number of ports f and g for registry with the ports f and g, respectively.

The position of the valve shown in the drawings, Fig. 31, is that which obtains when compressed air moves the secondary slide rearwardly and the primary slide to the right. To cause movement of the slides in the opposite directions, the valve is shifted through the following means: A lever g bears at one end against the outer end of the valve and at its other end carries a roller g in contact with the periphery of a disk g, keyed to the shaft .2 and formed with a series of cam projections Q12. The lever is pivoted intermediate of its ends to a bracket 56 on the standard b, and the force of a spiral spring g behind the valve presses the pin g against the periphery of the disk 9 so that the cam projections may produce vibration's of the lever and the desired shifting of the valve.

The stop devices hereinbefore referred to as determining the adjustment of the slides are of the following description: The primary slide f is formed with a small lip orprojection t', (seen clearly in Fig. 6,) which overhangs a disk 11', rotatively mounted on the side of the standard I), and said disk carries a circular series of studs or pins 2' projecting to various extents from the disk and designed to severally coact with the projection or lip t' on the slide. WVhen the slide is moved from right to left by the fluid-pressure, its said lip by abutting against the particular stud or pin of said series which is directly in front of it determines an adjustment of the slide. The purpose of such adjustment having been accomplished and the slide returned to its righthand position, the disk 2' is shifted to bring another of its pins in line with the lip by the following-described means: The said disk has a series of notches i in its periphery corresponding in number and location with the pins, and there is a pawl i spring-pressed against the said notched periphery and carried by a piston i to which it is pivotally connected, the said piston fitting a cylinder 11, bored in the standard b. Passages i and i Fig. 7, establish communication between opposite ends of the said cylinder and the passages f 7 and f respectively, which it will be remembered communicate with the cylinder f Through these channels compressed air is admitted alternately on opposite sides of the piston and thereby a reciprocation of the pawl 1' produced to effect step-by-step movement of the pin equipped disk. A spring-catch t by engaging the notches of the latter prevents its backward movement.

Upon the rear side of the slide 1 there is rotatively mounted a second notched disk j, having stop pins or studs j similar to those in the disk 1" and designed for abutment of a lip 7' Fig. 36, on the secondary slide 9 when the latter is advanced by the fluid-pressure. The notched periphery of said disk is engaged by a spring-pressed pawl j pivotally mounted on a piston j, contained within a cylinder 9' on the slide f. Communication for compressed air to said cylinder is established through passages 7' and f, extending between the opposite ends of the cylinder and the passages g and 9 respectively, which, it will be remembered, communicate with the cylinder g. Through these channels compressed air is admitted alternately on opposite sides of the piston j" and the pin-equipped disk moved step by step the same as the previouslydescribed disk and with a like result.

It will be readily seen that by means of the above-described instrumentalities a great va riety of positions of the work-holder can be established, and these many different positions are successively assumed by the holder through entirely automatic operation, as will be apparent.

Having now described one of the drillingsections of the machine, I shall next proceed to describe the manner of transferring the work from the magazine to the first drillingsection and,.from section to section, and also the specific means for holding the work.

The magazine which contains the blank plates is in the form of a tube 713, Fig. 29, which is supported in a vertical position by a column 7t, erected on the base a and to which it is securely clamped by a yoke k (see Fig. 4,) pivotally connected with the column, as shown at 79, so as to swing laterally, and provided with a clamping-screw to bear against the magazine and press the same into the concavity of the head on the column. The blank plates 2, Fig. 29, are stacked one upon another in the magazine,and springcatches 7t, fastened on the outer side of the magazine, project over its lower end, so as to take under the lowermost plate and thereby prevent the plates from dropping out. These catches are beveled on the lower side for a purpose which will presently appear.

The means for transferring the plates one by one from the magazine to the plate-holder of the first drilling-section are of the following description: A column m, erected on the base a, constitutes a bearing for an oscillatory and longitudinally-movable shaft m, having affixed to its upper end and projecting at right angles thereto an arm m with an enlarged ilat and rounded outer end support in g a cup'shaped plate-receiver m having a beveled rim to engage the beveled under sides of the catches 713 and displace the same. The longitudinal movement of the shaft m to move the said plate-receiver toward the magazine is effected through the following-described agencies, reference being had more particularly to Figs. 29 and 31: Said shaft has a reduced lower end portion m which extends into a cylinder m fastened on the under side of the base ct, and a piston m fits said cylinder and is fastened to the shaft. Passages m and m open into opposite ends of the said cylinder and communicate at different points with the bore of a casingm in which fits a slide-valve m having supply and exhaust passages m and m for alternate registry with said passages m and m On the rear side of the valve there are passages m adapted for alternate registry with the valve-passage m and communicating with a compressed-air-supply pipe m. The valve is normally depressed by a spiral spring m, inserted above it, and it will be seen that under this condition compressed air may charge the cylinder on the upper side of the piston while the exhaust is open on the lower side of the piston. The valve is moved upwardly at stated intervals by means of a lever m, which bears at one end against the lower end of the valve and at the other carries a roller m" in contact with the periphery of a disk 772 keyed on a shaft 0, which carries a worm-wheel it in mesh with the worm as. The said lever m is pivoted intermediate of its ends to a hanger m, depending from the base a, and the spring behind the valve keeps the pin against the periphery of the disk m lVhile the regular portion of the periphery of said disk engages the pin, the valve remains in its normal position, above described. The disk, however, is formed with a number of depressions or notches m into which the pin passes periodically, thereby permitting the spring behind the valve to push the latter downwardly and open communication for compressed air to the under side of the piston. The continued rotation of the disk restores the valve to its former position by reason of the side of the recess m acting as a cam against the pin m". By this means it will be seen that reciprooations of the shaft m may be produced at the times desired, and this reciprocation moves the plate-receiverm toward and from the magazine to take the plates singly therefrom.

Rotary movement of the shaft to transfer the plate to the first drilling-section is effected through the following-described instrumentalities: A sleeve 71 loosely surrounds the shaft and is supported in a suitable bearing n and has at its upper end a gear-wheel M, which is in mesh with a rack n 011 a piston n fitting the interior of a cylinder n Said piston is reciprocated, in a manner presently to be described, to effect oscillations of the sleeve, and such oscillations are communicated to the shaft through the following-described means: The sleeve has fastened to it an arm a, carrying a downwardly-projecting pin 12 which has a sliding engagement with a slot a in an arm n", fastened to the shaft m. Thus rotative engagement is established between the sleeve and the shaft, while provision is made for longitudinal movement of the shaft. The oscillatory movement is limited by means of adjustable screws n (shown in Fig. 37,) against which the arm n abuts.

The cylinder 07?, hereinbefore referred to, has ports n and n at opposite ends, and passages 02 and n extend from said ports to a valve-casing n containing a slide-valve n having supply and exhaust passages n and n for alternate registry with the said passages n and n. The supply-passage is adapted to register alternately with passages n in communication with a compressed-airsupply pipe n wardly by a spiral spring 77., inserted behind it, and in its normal position, which is at the limit of its downward movement, the valve establishes communication for compressed air to the cylinder on the left-hand side of the piston. The valve is shifted to establish communication for compressed air to the right-hand side of the piston by the operation of a lever H, which is pivoted intermediate of its length to a hanger m and bears at one end against the lower end of the valve and at the opposite end carries a pin n in contact with the periphery of a disk n fast on the shaft o and having a cam projection. 02* to displace the pin and lever and thereby shift the valve.

The construction of plate transferring means above described is employed not only for carrying the plates from the magazine,but also for conveying the plates between the different drilling-sections; but at one stage it is desirable to turn the plate over, and the following construction is employed to effect this in the transferring of the plates between the second and third drilling-sections of the machine, reference being had more particularly to Figs. 30 and 31; the construction here for raising and lowering the transferrer and for oscillating the same is that already described, but instead of simply fastening an arm, as m to the upper end of the shaft m, I afiix thereon a cylindrical head 0, having an elongated hub or sleeve 0, in which is journaled a shaft 0 carrying at its outer end a plate receiver and conveyer 0 The said shaft projects through the cylinder 0, and has afiixed to it therein a plate 0 which constitutes a piston adapted to oscillate between stops formed by the sides of a segmental block 0 secured in the cylinder, Fig. 31. An axial passage 0 bored in the shaft m, communicates at its upper end with the cylinder'o and at its lower end with a radial passage 0 which is adapted to register with a passage 0 in the column m, which passage communicates with acompressed-air-supply pipe 0 By this means at a predetermined point in the rotation of the shaft m communication for compressed air to the cylinder 0 will be established, and this compressed air The valve is pressed downimpinging against the piston 0 swin gs it over through an angle of one hundred and eighty degrees, thereby reversing the plate-receiver 0 The plate 0 is normally held against the stop 0 by a coiled spring 25, arranged in a recess 26, formed in the cover 27 of the head 0. (See Fig. 30

The specific construction of means for engaging and holding the plates in the transferring and drilling operations will next be described with reference first to Figs. 19, 20, and 21, which illustrate the construction of the plate-receiver of each transferrer except the reversible one. As before explained, the plate-receiver is in the form of a cup with a beveled margin to engage the catches of the magazine. At diametrically opposite sides the receiver is recessed for the reception of angular catches p, which are pivoted by pins 19, and have arms extending upward and formed with beveled projections at their upper ends overhanging the edge of the receiver, and other arms extending inwardly and pressed downwardly by springs 19 as clearly shown in Fig. 21. hen the said beveled catches come against the edge of the plate in the upward movement of the transferrer, the springs 19 allow the catches to be displaced, so that the said projections may pass the plate and snap over the same. At other diametrically opposite points the receiver is recessed, as shown at 19 for the accommodation of catches in the plate-holders of the drilling-sections of the machine.

The plate-holder of the first drilling-section is shown in detail in Figs. 16, 17, 18, and 23 and comprises the following parts: Asupport q, fastened to the top of the secondary slide g and projecting outwardly beyond the same and provided on its under side near the front with a bearing-piece q, against which the plate is placed, and just back of this hearing piece with a shoulder 1 against which the edge of the plate is pressed; a clamp g pivoted to the support and arranged to press at its lower end against the edge of the plate; a rod g fitted to slide through a bore in the support and jointed at its front end to the said clamp, a spiral spring g being interposed between a head in the end of the rod and the rear end of a recess which contains the spring, the latter thus acting to press the lower end of the clamp against the plate, and angular catches q, pivoted in slots in the support and having arms extending downwardly and formed with beveled projections at their lower ends to take under the plate, and also having arms which extend laterally and are acted upon by spiral springs q" to press the lower ends of the catches inward.

Thenianner of introducing the plate into the holder above described is clearly illustrated in Fig. 18, where the transfer-arm is represented as moving upward and the catches are displaced by the action of the edges of the plate thereagainst. 

